They just needed to find the right material. Reduced material usage: The Therma-Tech formulation required 37 percent less material due to its lower density compared with aluminum.  In addition, the change in material eliminated secondary steps needed to achieve net shape with die casting.

PolyOne worked with designers at Schneider Electric to select the material and also supported testing at the Schneider Electric R&D center in India. The Mobiya™ TS 120 also needed a material that would bounce back to original shape with repeated flexing while resisting tears and scratches. PolyOne Corporation, with 2014 revenues of $3.8 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions.

Stop thinking one-for-one: Rather than looking for materials that can replace a metal part using the identical geometry, designers are now capitalizing on the additional freedom to form plastics into net shapes. Don’t wait too long to select materials: Engage with a polymer supplier early on in the design process to specify the exact material attributes you need. Knowledgeable suppliers can also open your eyes to material possibilities you may not have considered, either with new formulations or additives and fillers.

The Challenge A major US automotive OEM makes extensive use of lightweight composites materials. Each cradle brace is a two-foot long, rectangular bar with a “U” shape machined into each end for a metallic insert. Learn more about custom material formulations by contacting an expert at Avient today

Reassess your standard raw material Aluminum has typically served as the go-to material for thermal management. Unlike metal, thermoplastics can also be molded into complex shapes that fit tight spaces.

The Challenge A major US automotive OEM makes extensive use of lightweight composites materials. Each cradle brace is a two-foot long, rectangular bar with a “U” shape machined into each end for a metallic insert. Learn more about custom material formulations by contacting an expert at Avient today

Reassess your standard raw material Aluminum has typically served as the go-to material for thermal management. Unlike metal, thermoplastics can also be molded into complex shapes that fit tight spaces.

The air-filled Airbump panels, manufactured from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), can compress up to 20 mm, and bounce back to shape in an instant. TPU materials are rarely selected for a vehicle’s exterior, but by working together, we were able to overcome several material-related challenges. PolyOne Corporation, with 2013 revenues of $3.8 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions.

This material imparts a low coefficient of friction (CoF) to the cable surface, easing installation in existing conduit, whether the geometry is simple or complex over short or long distances. With our new ECCOH 5702, workers can more easily guide it through conduit, even those with very complex designs and shapes, which reduces installation costs.” Cable made with these materials exhibits excellent mechanical strength, low shrinkage and a smooth surface finish.

The Challenge A major US automotive OEM makes extensive use of lightweight composites materials. Each cradle brace is a two-foot long, rectangular bar with a “U” shape machined into each end for a metallic insert. Learn more about custom material formulations by contacting an expert at Avient today